- Joined
- Jan 30, 2002
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- 7,269
Was browsing through some stuff and came upon this from 2004. Seems to be true to this day. 
It was in response to an inquiry as to the cause of HIKV.
If you are serious about your question, I have some possibilities for you to consider:
1. The product itself is a marvel of a single person's effort, talent and diligence. It is created in an environment of minimal amenities, tools, or power assistance. It represents hundreds of years (perhaps more) of applied talent to create a tool, weapon, and personal ornament--depending on the circumstances. It is hand-crafted with pride in an age in which neither pride, nor craftsmanship are commonplace. It is also beautiful if you have an affinity for edged tools.
2. Himalayan Imports was founded on, and continues to be based upon, the concept of actually benefiting the people who are in circumstances which we, in the Western world, would certainly considered "reduced." It is virtually, or completely, a non-profit organization set up by a man and his relatives and associates to bring some semblence of well-being into an environment which has few opportunities for such.
3. The persona of Bill Martino, and his on-going dedication to helping those he can, beyond the boundaries of HI--such as Ram the med student, or the Bhuddist monk he has helped here, lend one a sense of renewed faith in the diminishing sense of goodness of humanity.
4. The gentlemen, and occasional ladies, who frequent the Cantina, are forth-coming in their welcomes, their offers of information, their help in their respective areas of knowledge or expertise, and their wry humor. They, in and of themselves, create an atmosphere of warmth and society. They support one another, offer prayers or smoke or good thoughts to friends and strangers in times of need; they provide an outlet for talking about problems that might not otherwise be discussed in this age of self-containment. If they disagree, they disagree with good humor and respect for the others' points of view.
Moreover, they do not flame nor chastise posts with which they disagree--most often, silence is their response to opinions proffered with which they take exception. This is a forum of courtesy, respect and tolerance.
It is unique. It is a place where strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. It is a place of learning, wisdom, knowledge and laughter. It is a special place.
Each of these elements, and more, I'm sure, coalesce to create the HIKV syndrome you mention.
For me, it's been a place of comfort and society during a time in my life when I very much needed such...and didn't realize it, initially.
Kis
It was in response to an inquiry as to the cause of HIKV.
If you are serious about your question, I have some possibilities for you to consider:
1. The product itself is a marvel of a single person's effort, talent and diligence. It is created in an environment of minimal amenities, tools, or power assistance. It represents hundreds of years (perhaps more) of applied talent to create a tool, weapon, and personal ornament--depending on the circumstances. It is hand-crafted with pride in an age in which neither pride, nor craftsmanship are commonplace. It is also beautiful if you have an affinity for edged tools.
2. Himalayan Imports was founded on, and continues to be based upon, the concept of actually benefiting the people who are in circumstances which we, in the Western world, would certainly considered "reduced." It is virtually, or completely, a non-profit organization set up by a man and his relatives and associates to bring some semblence of well-being into an environment which has few opportunities for such.
3. The persona of Bill Martino, and his on-going dedication to helping those he can, beyond the boundaries of HI--such as Ram the med student, or the Bhuddist monk he has helped here, lend one a sense of renewed faith in the diminishing sense of goodness of humanity.
4. The gentlemen, and occasional ladies, who frequent the Cantina, are forth-coming in their welcomes, their offers of information, their help in their respective areas of knowledge or expertise, and their wry humor. They, in and of themselves, create an atmosphere of warmth and society. They support one another, offer prayers or smoke or good thoughts to friends and strangers in times of need; they provide an outlet for talking about problems that might not otherwise be discussed in this age of self-containment. If they disagree, they disagree with good humor and respect for the others' points of view.
Moreover, they do not flame nor chastise posts with which they disagree--most often, silence is their response to opinions proffered with which they take exception. This is a forum of courtesy, respect and tolerance.
It is unique. It is a place where strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. It is a place of learning, wisdom, knowledge and laughter. It is a special place.
Each of these elements, and more, I'm sure, coalesce to create the HIKV syndrome you mention.
For me, it's been a place of comfort and society during a time in my life when I very much needed such...and didn't realize it, initially.
Kis
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